Explore the sample project
A sample project is provided with the software to demonstrate the key features of NVivo. This topic explains what is in the sample project, how to access it and how you can use it to explore and experiment.
In this topic
- Overview
- How do I open the sample project?
- What can I do in the sample project?
- Using the server version of the sample project
Overview
The Environmental Change Down East sample project is provided with the NVivo software.
The sample project demonstrates many of the key features of NVivo and includes examples of the different types of source materials that you can bring into NVivo—documents, datasets, audio, video and picture sources.
The source materials in this sample project are drawn from a two year study (2008-2009) undertaken by researchers from the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment at the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, N.C. This study documented community perceptions of development and land-use change on coastal communities in the Down East area of Carteret County, North Carolina, USA.
Additional source materials have been added to demonstrate the social media analysis features of NVivo 10.
How do I open the sample project?
When you first install NVivo, the sample project is listed in the NVivo Welcome screen, under Recent Projects. To open the project, click on the title (Environmental Change Down East).
You can also open the sample project via the File tab—click the File tab, then click Open, and then locate and select the file 'Sample Project.nvp'. This file is stored on your computer in the following locations:
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On Microsoft Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\NVivo 10 Samples
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On Microsoft Windows Vista and Microsoft Windows 7: C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\NVivo 10 Samples
What can I do in the sample project?
HINT It is a good idea to make a copy of the sample project and then experiment in your copy, keeping the original sample project unchanged, so you can refer to it again in the future. Refer to Save and copy projects for detailed instructions on copying projects.
You can use the sample project to explore and experiment—see how a real project can be structured and experiment with NVivo's powerful analysis tools. You can explore:
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Source materials—there is a dataset of survey responses and a dataset containing Twitter data. There are also documents and PDFs (containing interview transcripts, news articles and web pages), audio and video recordings, and pictures of the Down East area.
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Memos—the memos were used to communicate within the research team, and document the progress of the project.
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Node structures—there are nodes for themes, people and places. There are also nodes for interview/survey questions and Twitter hashtags that were created by auto coding. Try adding your own nodes and then experiment with coding the content of documents, datasets, videos and other types of sources.
Experiment with queries and visualizations—for example, you can:
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Run the queries that are set up in the project—the project has saved queries of all types. You can also create your own queries and experiment with query criteria.
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Generate a cluster analysis diagram to group sources or nodes that share similar words, attribute values or coding.
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Generate a tree map to see patterns of distribution—for example, you can use a tree map to compare the distribution of coding across thematic nodes.
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Create a chart to compare coding or attribute values
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Select a source and create a graph to see how it is connected to other project items
You can also use the sample project to see how:
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Folders can be used to organize source materials, node structures, queries and models
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Source classifications can be used to store information (including bibliographical data) about the sources in the project
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Node classifications can be used to store information about people and places in the project
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Models can be used to visualize your initial ideas and track the evolution of your analysis
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Reports and extracts provide summary information about your project
Using the server version of the sample project
If you are able to connect to an NVivo Server and create server projects, you may notice that the server has its own version of the sample project. The sample project will appear in the list of projects available on your NVivo Server.
You cannot make any changes to the server version of the sample project—it is read only. You can open the server sample project and explore the sources, nodes and other project items. You can run queries, generate visualizations such as charts and tree maps, but you cannot make changes—for example, you cannot edit or code sources or save a query and report criteria.
You want to experiment with the project—for example, create and save new queries or add your own coding, then you must create your own copy of the sample project—refer to Save and copy projects for more information.